I know the American because I come from the American continent(however I live next to Guyana and they speak British) but I must learn British for my role play.

As a future English teacher I have to know Both!! I like each one since I was a little girl, eventhough my daddy just taught me the American and I am used to it, already! It takes time to get used to a language. It happened to me when I was learning French, so, If you don't like one's accent, it does not mean that is bad. That's a wrong term that people use when they are refering to something they don't like; I conclude that everything is a matter of taste

IowaRocks wrote:I personally believe British English is too "flowery." American English seems to be more direct and to the point, but in the case of creative writing it is better to use flowery language, so it's important to understand both.

I think so, too. But AmEng has its own good points and BrtEng does. We shouldn't consider which is better.

Yeah, I know this thread's been dead for over a year, but I need to say this. Being South African (and a canyon crab at that), I've heard the South African accent the most. It doesn't differ very much from traditional British because of most Anglo-African's heritage. It has, however, mixed alot with the Dutch diriven Afrikaans, making it what most people would say "less correct".

Personally, I think that American English is the best. I don't think it's easier to learn, but it's been made that way in some regions, giving it somewhat of a bad name. For example: I can't explain how much I hate it that so many people mix the past and the present or past perfect in the sense of "I seen" instead of the correct "I have or I had seen". All English dialects are guility of it, and I can't stand it.

Anyway, I think that for a Afrikaans speaker, American English is more fluid, but has a more difficult vocabulary as it has nearly twice as many words as British English. The spelling is easier, though.The New England accent (excluding Rhode Island and Boston) sounds so professional. I guess that's why all American news broadcast in other nations has Americans with that accent.

danyet wrote:There is not enough difference between the way Americans and English talk to even say that they are speaking different "dialects". It is the same language with a regional accent. Just the same as Australian or New Zealand or South Africans speak.

I am afraid that this person is incorrect. There is a remarkable difference between American and British English. The best way to understand the differences, if you believed what this person here wrote, then I suggest you rent a movie such as "SNATCH", by Guy Ritchie.

This movie demonstrates the differences quite a bit, (exclude the Brad Pitt) character. The Brits use a more formal sounding language, where Americans (and Canadians), use a more informal sounding language. Of course there are many words that are common, but there are plenty words and expressions that just are not.

To any native speaker of English, the differences are remarkably vast. Line up (1,5, 1000) Brits and Yanks, the native speaker will identify them with one hundred percent accuracy...

(I am a native speaker of English)(You are not... and it is obvious... not with just this post, but others by you i have read)

Xkalibur wrote::roll: I don't hear any difference between BrEng and AmEng when I'm trying understand it by watching BBC and CNN. If possible, can anybody tell what my writings looks like more, BrEn or AmEn? Or is the difference only in pronunciation?

According to my grammar book, BrEng says, for example: Have you had a dinner? AmEng says: Did you have a dinner?

The differences are huge! The structure is the same as are most, if not all grammar points. The difference comes from word choices and pronunciation... Rent a movie called KNOTTING HILL... watch it in English (obviously) and note the differences between Hugh Grant's character and Julia Robert's character... In fact, with the exception of Julia's character and Hugh's "room-mate" (we say room-mate, they say flatmate or lodger)... everyone in there is British speaking...ok...

Xkalibur wrote:According to my grammar book, BrEng says, for example: Have you had a dinner? AmEng says: Did you have a dinner?

YOur book is wrong. You will hear both ways spoken everywhere. Most of the difference is in the overall accent, particularly the "r"s "a"s, and some minor spelling differences.

Again you are mistaken... Neither of us use either of those phrases... however, we both do say "Have you had dinner?" and "Did you have dinner?" If you did not see the difference between what the fellow wrote and I wrote... then I believe that you should perhaps grab a book or two yourself...

And again, most of the difference is not in the overall accent! They are different, but an accent usually comes from a particular way words are pronounced! The accent is obvious, but word usage is where we differ dramatically...

EG- Toss it in the boot!

or Put it in the trunk!

Both Americans and British people would say both of these expressions... but one would never say one of them... You, as the expert, post which is which...

Why English doesn´t have Academy Languages like Spanish, which has a Royal Academy of Spanish language, and even an Academy for each language spanish country?? and beliveme there are differences and ways to express our ideas.

American English and Brith English I can't distinguish clearly! Because my English is poor.So I want to learn English well, So hope to make friends here.Yours English is excellent! I think so!I'm 21 years old.Who can help me ? Thanks in advance!

Vega wrote::roll: I don't hear any difference between BrEng and AmEng when I'm trying understand it by watching BBC and CNN. If possible, can anybody tell what my writings looks like more, BrEn or AmEn? Or is the difference only in pronunciation?

According to my grammar book, BrEng says, for example: Have you had a dinner? AmEng says: Did you have a dinner?

There is abit difference in accent and pronunciation of both languages, I will mention some words as a sample below:Opportunity: In Amenglish it is pronounced as (aparchunity)Opportunity: BrEnglish it is pronounced as (apartunity)

From a structural standpoint, the two dialects are almost identical. When reading text that is written by a native English speaker, I am often unable to discern whether the writer is British or American (I am a native American English Speaker). As many others have noted, the main difference can be observed with spoken English. From as objective as a viewpoint as possible, I believe that American English is easier to comprehend. This is because there there is more distinction between different words due to the larger range of sounds (e.g. farther vs. father) as well as the closer correlation between how a word should be pronounced based on the basic phonetic system of English and the proper pronunciation of a particular word, which is due to the American English revision of spellings (e.g. center vs. centre). As for difficulty of comprehension for a native English speaker of the opposite dialect, both are almost completely mutually intelligible. While some phrases that are used may not be common in the opposing dialect, it is easy to figure out what the intended meaning of the speaker is.